Tim McGraw Surprises Injured Soldier

Good thing Tim McGraw is an accomplished actor, as those skills came in handy recently when he posed a reporter in order to surprise a wounded solider.

In 2009, a month shy of completing his 12-month tour of duty in Iraq, Jared LaDuke lost a leg in an insurgent attack. Following numerous skin grafts and 20 surgeries, Operation Homefront -- an organization that provides emergency financial assistance to service members and their families -- arranged for temporary housing for Jared and his family in San Antonio, Texas.

When the young family arrived at their new apartment, they were under the impression that a reporter from Operation Homefront would be there to talk about their experience. Instead it was Tim, who welcomed them to a newly furnished apartment, complete with a room full of Thomas the Tank toys for Jared's 2-year-old son, Talon.

"When we walked in, the whole apartment is fully furnished with brand new stuff ... I was in shock," the soldier tells CMT. "Then Tim McGraw walks in a few minutes later. Like, as if a furnished apartment ain't enough? It was so surreal."

Leave it to Tim, though, to bring some humor to an emotional situation. "My wife was totally tearing up," Jared continues. "Tim said, 'I was just in the neighborhood, so I thought I'd stop by. I was just wondering if I could use y'all's bathroom.'

Tim then toured the apartment with the family and one excited little boy. "He walked around with us, then picked up Talon and walked him into his new room that they'd decorated with Thomas the Tank stuff," Jared says.

As he continues his physical therapy daily, Jared is feeling deeply humbled and blessed to have been given so much. "I don't think I'll ever be able to be thankful enough ... it saved our life completely."

Just a few days ago, the family received yet another surprise from Tim: a box full of even more Thomas the Tank Engine trains and tracks along with a note that read, "It was a real pleasure getting to meet you, Talon! Sincerely, Tim McGraw."